Note: There are things which you don’t have the courage to blurt out unless inspired to. This one is partially inspired by the writing at Banno, Dhano and Teja and partially by a few incidents at home which always had me battling with it.

***

It could be anything, to start with-a needle to thread, a tired look, increasing wrinkles or just a statement, but they directly say it on your face-they are getting old.

The fact which it is, personally, I think is very hard to accept. Someone who has taught you how to walk, eat and what not, when you realize your parents are getting old, it’s a bitter feeling. They are like the evergreen umbrella you have, the shield which protects you, the balm that soothes you, the ones which look after you. Personally, I feel cheated whenever I think about mom getting old! There are times when even her simple statements tracing my growth make me think about the same.

When me and her sit, talking about old times over a cuppa or walking by through the lanes, she would happily refer to the fact that how her daughter was this shy girl who preferred sticking to home and how now I am traveling on my own without a fear and so…

And I think, what I should tell her. Should I tell her as well that how in those days she would work without getting tired, how she would take care of all three of us, how she never complained of aches and tiredness and how things have changed now? I dislike the fact that she gets tired so easily as compared to the old, good days.

The fact is the role reversal is hard to accept. And I’m shameless in putting it up here. The love never takes a step back but it is the fact that as you grow young, your parents grow old and then you’ve to tend to them.

***

P.S-Mom, I would never want you to read this one. For I know instead of getting worried or sad about the fact that you’re getting old, you would be more concerned that the same hurts me.